Rating:  Summary: Great website, not so great book. Review: I am a big fan of Mil Millington's website, which lists arguments that he has had with his girlfriend Margret. I found the book of the same name, with characters loosely based on Mil and Margret, not as funny. As with the website, the arguments between Pel and Ursula were funny, and had me laughing out loud at times. But the "plot" about Pel's job at the University kept getting more and more ridiculous. Sure, the author takes a few clever swipes at workplace politics, but it wasn't enough to make those parts of the book interesting. Whenever I was reading about Pel's job, I kept waiting for the book to return to more arguments between him and Ursula, which were much more entertaining. And just when it seems as though the plot is reaching a climax, the book just...ends. The lesson or moral that Ursula and Pel learn about their relationship on the last two pages seems very forced, and it's not much of a payoff for the reader. It was almost as if the author thought, "Well I can't think of any more scrapes for Pel to get into, so let's just stop the book here."
Rating:  Summary: Smashingly good fun...! Review: I don't know why you'd rank this book under 4 stars, unless you were a fan of the website and was expecting more non-fiction tales such as are found there. I had this expectation, and for a page or two was disappointed. Then, as I continued to read, I got more and more hooked.The only drawback to this book is that the ending seemed a bit rushed-all things wrap up in a crazy 5 page car chase, with a stop for an accidental brush with sex. Other than that, it was funny, and it reminded me to not take things too seriously in life-heck, EVERYONE has the same darned arguments!
Rating:  Summary: See the website! (don't) Rad the book! Review: I first came across Millington's website a couple of years ago when I did a Lycos search for something. I have long since forgotten what I was searching for, but the title of his website (It's the same as the book) intrigued me. I spent an enjoyable hour reading the enties there, and got a kick out of how he and Margaret could find some of the most inane things to bicker over. Flash forward to last week. I ran across the book while browsing the new book section and decided to read it. The same inane bickering is here, but it is padded by one of the most ridiculous plot contrivances I have ever seen in a novel. If you can stand the padding, be my guest. Its my suggestion that you skip over the plot and just read the arguments. That's the only valuable effort this book has to show.
Rating:  Summary: Definitely has some funny moments Review: I have very mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, author Mil Millington has written some moments that are laugh-out-loud funny. In the tradition of Nick Hornsby, Millington writes about a British male, Pel, who is witty and sardonic while at the same time being neurotic and insecure. Some of the book's funniest lines come from Pel's perspective, such as when he talks about making the transition from a young guy in love to a domestic partner: "There's a thin line that divides the man you were from the person shuffling around Ikea with a stupid big yellow bag and dead eyes." Great stuff, there, but the relationship between Pel and his long-time girlfriend, the German-born Ursula, is not nearly so amusing. Pel and Ursula spend virtually all of their time together arguing, and although there's a playful feel to their disagreements, there's also a darker side, as Ursula is constantly threatening Pel with increasingly creative forms of bodily harm. Little affection is displayed between the two; I can recall a single kiss and a few allusions to sex, but that's about it. And then there's the plot itself. Pel is employed as a mid-level tech manager at a university library. When his immediate supervisor, TSR, resigns suddenly and under mysterious circumstances, Pel is awared the dubious honor of being promoted--while still fulfilling the duties of his former position, of course. Soon, Pel finds himself embroiled in a complicated series of circumstances and conspiracies which come across to the reader as increasingly unbelievable and, even worse, uninteresting. The book has enough funny lines to keep the reader going, but you may wish that it didn't, as parts of the story were difficult to slog through. Still, Millington clearly has some comic talent, and he may have more of it to offer in the future.
Rating:  Summary: Definitely has some funny moments Review: I have very mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, author Mil Millington has written some moments that are laugh-out-loud funny. In the tradition of Nick Hornsby, Millington writes about a British male, Pel, who is witty and sardonic while at the same time being neurotic and insecure. Some of the book's funniest lines come from Pel's perspective, such as when he talks about making the transition from a young guy in love to a domestic partner: "There's a thin line that divides the man you were from the person shuffling around Ikea with a stupid big yellow bag and dead eyes." Great stuff, there, but the relationship between Pel and his long-time girlfriend, the German-born Ursula, is not nearly so amusing. Pel and Ursula spend virtually all of their time together arguing, and although there's a playful feel to their disagreements, there's also a darker side, as Ursula is constantly threatening Pel with increasingly creative forms of bodily harm. Little affection is displayed between the two; I can recall a single kiss and a few allusions to sex, but that's about it. And then there's the plot itself. Pel is employed as a mid-level tech manager at a university library. When his immediate supervisor, TSR, resigns suddenly and under mysterious circumstances, Pel is awared the dubious honor of being promoted--while still fulfilling the duties of his former position, of course. Soon, Pel finds himself embroiled in a complicated series of circumstances and conspiracies which come across to the reader as increasingly unbelievable and, even worse, uninteresting. The book has enough funny lines to keep the reader going, but you may wish that it didn't, as parts of the story were difficult to slog through. Still, Millington clearly has some comic talent, and he may have more of it to offer in the future.
Rating:  Summary: A Surprisingly Good Book Review: I just found out that this was a debut book by Millington, which makes it impressive indeed. The book was very witty, and I found myself laughing hysterically while reading some passages aloud to others. The book is written from the male perspective, and we follow the main character (Pel) around through daily activities, arguments with his g/f (Ursula), work scenes, and just life in general. There isn't a "plot" per se, but we get a glimpse into Pel's life on a regular basis. The writing/book was so fun because it was so easy to identify with the scenes and characters. I would definitely recommend this book. Oh, and don't overlook the passage on the copyright page -- it's a funny way to start the book!
Rating:  Summary: Lots of Laughs Review: I like to read humorous books but few actually make me laugh out loud. This one did and although I am usually not into humor focused on the differences between the sexes this one is an original take on this. The narration is top notch. I highly recommend this. A good, fun, light read.
Rating:  Summary: Witty, Engaging Read Review: I picked this up on a recent trip to Borders in Tampa. I read the first page and decided if the rest of the book came close, it would have to be fantastic.
And it was. I liked the way Millington spliced the three areas of Pel Dalton's life together: his crazy-and-always-getting-crazier office; lunch dates with his friends Tracey and Roo; and the arguments he has with his girlfriend Ursula.
This book may not be for everybody. I tried to get my husband to read it, but he found the arguments tedious. He said if he wanted to hear meaningless babble, he could argue with me. (Ha ha.)
Anyway, this book carried me through a 22-hour bus ride back home, and kept other passengers at safe distances by my constant out-loud chuckling.
Even non-bus riders would enjoy this book, I should think. It is fun and engaging. You'll either identify with the main character and laugh and laugh...or you'll be thankful you're nobody like the main character and laugh and laugh.
Rating:  Summary: Funny, British book about Nothing Review: I rarely pick up a book and laugh out loud, but this book was one of those rare gems. If you are a "Seinfeld" fan, you will find this book hilarious! This book was written in a visual style, and the characters were very realistically presented. The Laser Wars battle, the student fights, the burgled microwave all seemed very plausible to me. I could picture Pel's world, and this book kept me entertained all the way through.
Rating:  Summary: Hysterically funny! Review: I've never read a book that made me cry from laughter like this one did. After I wiped my eyes, I'd re-read a particularly funny section and start laughing hysterically all over again. I highly recommend this book!
|